Monsoon season ramping up

The monsoon season has been a bust in Las Vegas so far this year but outside our area it's a different story.

"We have been fortunate so far compared to New Mexico and Colorado, but this time of the year it's fairly traditional for us to start to have this type of weather pattern," said US Forest Service spokesman Roy Johnson.

Wednesday night a thunderstorm moved into the Pahrump area, triggering two wildfires.

"Really high winds and the flames, it was a mess," said Ray Mankins, who watched a fire erupt on a ridge that has consumed at least 10 acres. "The storm was not long at all but it had some pretty severe consequences, you could tell this morning," added Mankins.

Forty plus firefighters have been dispatched to that blaze.

Another lightning strike on another ridge caused a tree to catch fire. A small crew needed to hike several hours to get to that fire.

The Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management is gearing up for the season with crews on standby.

"We also have additional firefighters who are at their stations in case something else breaks," according to Johnson.

Meantime in Las Vegas, the threat of heavy rain has led to a flash flood watch to be issued.

The Flood Control District is warning people to stay out of flood control areas, especially the channels, until the weather clears, which isn't expected to happen before Sunday.

"We've seen these channels rise eight feet in eight minutes. It can be a real danger and that water can be rushing real fast," said District spokesperson KerriAnne Mukhopadhyay.

Thousands of unionized Las Vegas casino workers gathered at a university arena in red T-shirts and work uniforms as they voted Tuesday to call for a citywide strike that could have huge financial implications for the tourist-dependent destination.

Thousands of unionized Las Vegas casino workers gathered at a university arena in red T-shirts and work uniforms as they voted Tuesday to call for a citywide strike that could have huge financial implications for the tourist-dependent destination.